Executive Summary

A short summary for readers to become acquainted with the key messages without having to read the entire report. It should include the assessment objectives, methods used, key findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Use bullet points and refer to relevant chapters so readers can find more detail if required.

Key Findings

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Recommandations

Secure adequate financial resources to meet the needs.
Encourage the national authorities to assume a leading role in the humanitarian response.
Scale up the services provided.
Prioritize key activities to ensure proper protection of the most vulnerable individuals.
Focus on the lowest performance and categorize critical gaps.
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Introduction

Overall and specific objectives and focus of the Results Monitoring Surveys, including the coverage (populations, sectors, and geographic areas) and the types of decisions need to be informed.

Since the outbreak of the civil war in 2013, the crisis in South Sudan has worsened in various areas, including personal safety, protection, food security, livelihoods, health, shelter, and sanitation. Many people have been forced to flee their homes in search of a safer and more stable locations, resulting in significant displacements. Adding to the conflict, severe flooding has further strained the already poor infrastructure, disrupting the supply chain and causing damage to people’s livelihoods and properties. As a result, impoverished individuals have become increasingly vulnerable and marginalized, residing in isolated rural communities. Access to essential services remains limited, and the humanitarian situation is a genuine cause for concern.

In the recent course of events, the 2023 Sudan crisis significantly worsened the already dire humanitarian conditions in South Sudan due to several interconnected factors: the conflict led to mass displacement within the country, with over 1 million people fleeing to neighbouring countries like South Sudan. This influx placed an immense strain on South Sudan’s limited resources and infrastructure, particularly in areas already grappling with internal displacement from previous conflicts. Moreover, the crisis disrupted critical trade routes and humanitarian corridors between Sudan and South Sudan, leading to shortages of essential supplies like food, medicine, and fuel. This resulted in price hikes, exacerbating existing food insecurity, and making aid delivery more difficult and expensive. In addition, the international community’s focus shifted towards addressing the crisis in Sudan, leading to a decrease in funding and attention towards South Sudan’s ongoing humanitarian needs. It limited the capacity of aid organizations to effectively respond to the growing challenges. The latest developments and the shift of priorities in terms of the response plans and main activities may have a significant effect on the 2023 results in comparison to 2022 results.

South Sudan faces a daunting reality: with 11.1 million people as per the latest 2023 estimations by UNFPA, it struggles against widespread poverty and illiteracy. Yet, hope persists. Recognizing the dire situation, the international community, including UN agencies, has joined forces with the South Sudanese government. Together, they strive to alleviate the suffering by providing aid and support across various sectors. This collaboration aims to mitigate the effects of poverty, illiteracy, and other pressing issues, ultimately offering a helping hand to the millions affected.

UNHCR in South Sudan prioritizes the well-being of those most affected by conflict and displacement. Driven by a commitment to protect and assist vulnerable people, their actions are guided by evidence-based decision-making. Recognizing the crucial role of data, UNHCR globally implemented the Results-Monitoring Survey (RMS) in 2022 to create the baseline data of the impact and outcome indicators. As this is an annual approach, the exercise was replicated in 2023. This methodology tracks progress and impact against the baseline data, solidifying UNHCR position as a trusted leader on refugee and displacement data.

Methods

Data Collection

Furthermore, provide some information about the data collection methods and an analysis plan annex that operationalizes the analytical framework and details questions, data collections methods and sources for each information element sought, as well as how the information have been analysed.

This field work report presents the process of implementing the 2023 Results Monitoring Survey (RMS) conducted by UNHCR South Sudan, with support from the Regional Bureau of the East, Horn and Great Lakes of Africa and guidance from UN Headquarters. The RMS serves as a tool to measure the progress of country operations using impact and outcome indicators.

The survey was conducted using the computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) method at the County level across 9 states of South Sudan, including 41 Counties. UNHCR, with the support of its partners, reached 6,266 households through a simple random sampling method and, in some cases, based on a set list provided by the local authorities (RRC). The survey delves into key areas: mobility, disability, housing, basic needs, safety, income, and gender-based violence, providing insights into life for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Questionnaire

Sampling strategy

Type of sampling design and rationale for this design. Sample size and locations. Deviation from the original sampling strategy, including non-response rate and replacement method. More detailed information such as the sample plan can be annexed.

Map of the country (South Sudan in this case) that demonstrates data collection locations

The target population groups, covered within RMS 2023, are the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and Refugees Returnees. According to the latest IOM Displacement Mobility Tracking (DTM Round 14), over 2 million IDPs were mapped and over 530,000 returnees were recorded throughout 2023.

Enumerator and training

Explain the profile of the enumerators/survey firm and how enumerators were trained.

Following RMS 2022, UNHCR incorporated the RMS 2023 within the partnership agreements with different partners operating across South Sudan to ensure their re-engagement and continuity to carry out this activity. Since most of the field enumerators were familiar with the RMS methodology. This allowed to further strengthen their capacity and manifest a strong command during the data collection phase.

The MFT (Multi-functional Team) members approached the focal person of each relevant partner to confirm their preparedness to launch this exercise. Both sides discussed the needs in terms of workforce, budgeting, provision of trainings, provision of materials and reached to an agreement on the overall workplan and timeline.

In coordination with the UNHCR field offices, MFT members organized and successfully delivered 6 training sessions in 5 locations: Juba, Yei, Wau, Yambio and Bentiu in which an extensive practical use of the devices, a simulation of the data collection exercise and data protection policies were offered. Subsequently, UNHCR managed to adequately train a total number of 93 enumerators.

Workplan

Timeline of different phases of the assessment, including training, pilot phase, primary data collection (if any) and analysis.

The field work covered 9 states of South Sudan. The data collection took place from 03 December 2023 to 07 February 2024 in 41 counties.

Limitations

Any known limitations of the survey approach and findings, including sources of potential bias or error.

The complex context of South Sudan does not provide the right conditions for the implementation of humanitarian activities in a safe and uninterrupted manner. In this year’s exercise, many factors impeded the data collection at different levels:

Insecurity: Due to insecurity in Western Bahr el Ghazal, namely, Wau-Kuajok road, the activity was suspended until the movement restrictions were lifted.
Mobility: Due to the flooding, the road to Adok port was impassable with limited means of transportation. The enumerators had to take motorbikes services at a significant higher cost.
Internet reliability: In some remote areas, internet connectivity was entirely absent or highly poor. Under this condition, the field enumerators were collecting data, in these locations, off-line. As the uploading took place at a later stage, The data quality check could not be done in real-time.
Questionnaire length: The bigger the family size is, the longer the interview lasts. Some respondents
Assumptions: Some respondents expected to be paid after the personal interview.
Technical issues: Some tablets were unable to connect to Internet and had to be switched off and on several times

Findings

Demographics

The total sample consisted of 6268 households. Of these households, 3976 were internally displaced persons (IDPs) and 2292 were refugee returnees. A total of 27368 individuals were interviewed, with more than half 15188 being female and 12052 being male. Among the interviewed individuals,were 1451718 years or above. Children comprised a large age group at 12736.

Realizing Rights in Safe Environments

2.2 Proportion of people residing in physically safe and secure settlements with access to basic facilities

To facilitate measurement specific to UNHCR, four basic services are considered for this indicator: shelter, drinking water, energy (access to electricity) and health in addition to the security. All of these basic services must be available to people for it to be considered that they have access to basic services.

2.3 Proportion of people with access to health services

Empowering Communities and Achieving Gender Equality

3.2a Proportion of children and young people enrolled in primary education

3.2b Proportion of children and young people enrolled in secondary education

3.3 Proportion of people feeling safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark

Access to Territory, Registration and Documentation

1.2 Proportion of children under 5 years of age whose births have been registered with a civil authority

1.3 Proportion of people with legally recognized identity documents or credentials

This indicator also corresponds to the Core Outcome Indicator 14.1 Proportion of returnees with legally recognized identity documents or credentials only for refugee returnees.

Gender-based Violence

4.1 Proportion of people who know where to access available GBV services

4.2 Proportion of people who do not accept violence against women

Child Protection

5.2 Proportion of children who participate in community-based child protection programmes

Well-being and Basic Needs

8.2 Proportion of people with primary reliance on clean (cooking) fuels and technology

Sustainable housing and Settlements

9.1 Proportion of people living in habitable and affordable housing

9.2 Proportion of people that have energy to ensure lighting

Healthy Lives

10.1 Proportion of children aged 9 months to five years who have received measles vaccination

10.2 Proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel

Clean Water,Sanitation and Hygiene

12.1 Proportion of people using at least basic drinking water services

12.2 Proportion of people with access to a safe household toilet

Self Reliance, Economic Inclusion and Livelihoods

13.1 Proportion of people with an account at a bank or other financial institution or with a mobile-moneyservice provider

13.2 Proportion of people who self-report positive changes in their income compared to previous year

13.3 Proportion of people (working age) who are unemployed

Local Integration and other Local Solutions

16.1 Proportion of people with secure tenure rights to housing and/or land

RBM Core Indicators Summary Table

Table 1: Table 2: RMS South Sudan 2023 - Indicators for Population Group 1
pop_groups	Core Indicator	Unweighted Count	Weighted Total	Indicator Value
Refugee returnees	impact2_2	2292	2292	0.0000000
Refugee returnees	impact2_3	9097	9097	0.8366507
Refugee returnees	impact3_2a	9097	1499	0.7465000
Refugee returnees	impact3_2b	9097	219	0.1206000
Refugee returnees	impact3_3	2292	2292	0.6125343
Refugee returnees	outcome1_2	9097	9097	0.5378007
Refugee returnees	outcome1_3	9097	9097	0.3422763
Refugee returnees	outcome4_1	2292	2292	0.6448517
Refugee returnees	outcome4_2	2292	2292	0.3515333
Refugee returnees	outcome5_2	9097	9097	0.0793037
Refugee returnees	outcome8_2	2292	2292	0.0026978
Refugee returnees	outcome9_1	2292	2292	0.0331588
Refugee returnees	outcome9_2	2292	2292	0.1732112
Refugee returnees	outcome10_1	9097	9097	0.6386963
Refugee returnees	outcome10_2	2292	2292	0.5737327
Refugee returnees	outcome12_1	2292	2292	0.8049738
Refugee returnees	outcome12_2	2292	2292	0.2879581
Refugee returnees	outcome13_1	2292	2292	0.1012216
Refugee returnees	outcome13_2	2292	2292	0.0567190
Refugee returnees	outcome13_3	2292	2292	0.0000000
Refugee returnees	outcome14_1	9097	9097	0.3448851
Refugee returnees	outcome16_1	2292	2292	0.0428705
Refugee returnees	outcome16_2	2292	2292	0.1007853

Table 3: Table 4: RMS South Sudan 2023 - Indicators for Population Group 2
pop_groups	Core Indicator	Unweighted Count	Weighted Total	Indicator Value
IDPs	impact2_2	3976	3976	0.0000000
IDPs	impact2_3	18271	18271	0.7875577
IDPs	impact3_2a	18271	3320	0.8552000
IDPs	impact3_2b	18271	492	0.1312000
IDPs	impact3_3	3976	3976	0.4754395
IDPs	outcome1_2	18271	18271	0.5046481
IDPs	outcome1_3	18271	18271	0.3091090
IDPs	outcome4_1	3976	3976	0.6725352
IDPs	outcome4_2	3976	3976	0.3012170
IDPs	outcome5_2	18271	18271	0.0736740
IDPs	outcome8_2	3976	3976	0.0145149
IDPs	outcome9_1	3976	3976	0.0155936
IDPs	outcome9_2	3976	3976	0.2135312
IDPs	outcome10_1	18271	18271	0.5780878
IDPs	outcome10_2	3976	3976	0.6059063
IDPs	outcome12_1	3976	3976	0.8186620
IDPs	outcome12_2	3976	3976	0.3825453
IDPs	outcome13_1	3976	3976	0.0892857
IDPs	outcome13_2	3976	3976	0.0623742
IDPs	outcome13_3	3976	3976	0.0000000
IDPs	outcome16_1	3976	3976	0.0260146
IDPs	outcome16_2	3976	3976	0.1119215

Acknowledgements

Acknowledgement of all organizations participating in the Results Monitoring Surveys, including agencies, NGOs, government entities, and academic institutions

Firstname Lastname, Title of person and country,

name@email.org